Iran is almost out of Oil. The U.N. has always been prejudiced against Israel and is a useless organization. The war with Iraq was never about oil. It was about being in a military position to intimidate Iran. It failed. That doesn't mean the intent was wrong just the method. The U.S. was responsible for Hussein and took too many years to finally take him out. Unfortunately The Iraqis didn't respond to freedom as expected. Bushes intent was simply to restore Afghanistan, restore Iraq, intimidate Iran into responding to diplomacy, and finally deal with North Korea before his term was over. Not a bad idea. But it has been a failure.

Matt Cerbin, Henderson, NV

Since Israel is in violation of more International Laws and United Nations Resolutions than Iran, it should be the first target if there is to be any attacks. What ever happened to sitting down with no pre-conditions and working out the difference?

Anton Grambihler, Richland, USA

Bush just wants to steal Iran's oil. Iran is a signatory to the NPT and has the right to build power reactors and to make the fuel rods for the reactors. Iran is allowing inspections. Inspections are working, war won't. A war with Iran will be an even worse quagmire than the war with Iraq has turned out to be.

Robert Reite, Exeter, Pennsylvania

Bill Richardson for President, 2008 ! Bill has a plan to get us Out of Iraq. He has all the experience to lead our Nation.Bill Richardson is a diplomat, he was energy secretary, he has done wonders as Governor of New Mexico, for the people, the environment, etc. He won his second term with 69% of the voters, in a Republican state. He is the only choice for our next President. He would Not attack Iran.

Chris Daub, Lykens, PA, USA

The US is sorry for it's pathetic excuse for leadership and its irresponsible, juvenile playground bullying. We will do better in 2008.

The "moral", warmongering Right will be divided by having to vote for a Mormon or a philanderer OR for Hillary, Obama or Edwards - three Democrats with relatively clean moral slates.

Iran will be toast by then, though, so....Sorry!

What an intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt nation we have become. Way to go, USA!

Shea, Little Rock, AR

I wonder what countries Pentagon DOESN'T have an invasion plan for...

Jeppe, Stockholm, Sweden

It amazes me that someone would use the past as an argument FOR war. If anything the past has taught us about the horror of war

Luke, Syd, Australia

THIS IS CRAZY. The notion of waiting to strike after we're struck worked just fine when talking about a response to a few bombs dropped out of German plane. Today, a few bombs (nuclear) are not something from which we can easily bounce back.

We've give warning after warning. We can't afford to "wait and see." Because one day we'll wake up and say, "Oops, looks like Israel is gone. And oops, looks like London is no more. Perhaps it's time to strike back?"

Certainly, it's a sad state of affairs. I wish fanatical Nazi-like Muslims didn't exist. But they do and we're living on borrowed time. Had we struck the radicals during the 1990s, perhaps 3,000 people would still be alive. No 9/11, no London bus bombing, no Spanish train bombing.

But we've let the wound fester for too long and have suffered the consequences. Waiting longer for Islam to "go through a reformation" or for Iranians to "come to their senses" is just too dangerous for the civilized world.

JD, Washington, DC

If the US attack Iran, that will be the beginning of ww3 and the end of the world :(

Johan Drake, Uppsala, Sweden

I can't believe what I hear from Europe. Why do we keep bringing up history? Because we learned from it! Evidently you didn't. We showed up 3 years too late? If we didn't show up you would all be speaking German today. We are the only country that has the balls to stop the fanatics. Ever heard this one? "For sale: One used French rifle, dropped once" Cowards. You'll let them burn your cities and do nothing. Iran has stated they want to wipe Israel off the map...and... they are trying to build nukes. DuH! If we just sit back what do you think might happen? DuH! In a perfect world we would not have to go to war but the last time I checked it's not perfect. Wake up, learn from history and just use common sense. If someone is telling you they are going to kill you and they are in the process of loading their gun do you A. try to talk them out of it before they aim at you or B. stop them with force before its too late ? Iran w/ Nukes..What do you think will happen?

Eddie , Louisville, KY

You cant have crazy suicidal third world fanatics running around with nukes. Ayatollah's with nuclear weapons with a jihadist mentality just dont mix. Iran should be given an ultimatum to back down or get beat down even if the US uses tactical nuclear weapons to destroy irans military and nuclear sites. We must destroy iran's nuclear capabilities before you have suicide bombers with the ultimate bomb.

Sherman, MIAMI, USA

The U.S. and Russia have more WMD than any other nation in the world. The fact is the U.S. is probably the most dangerous nation on the face of the earth. With it's fixation on economic and above all military hegemony. It's stated resolve to use pre-emptive strike when or where ever it's so called interest seem threatened is irrespective of world opinion and especially the U.N. which it always tries to persuade all other nations to abide by. It's foreign policy is nothing but hypocrisy. It deals with despotic regimes while at the same time condemning others and we all know why that is. It's about the green dollar with many of them if not all. Iran despostic as they are, are surrounded by American bases and might. So go figure. And the way the west has intervened in Iran in the past why would they be warm and friendly to them. Especially the U.S.

Eugene, Brooklyn, New York

i find it incredible that a country with an illiteracy rate of nearly 49% in adults of voting age (UN figures) is being allowed to dictate global politics.

neil, wales,

War only satisfies one need......WAR.

Tomas, Omaha, ne. usa

Dear World, sorry our country is currently run by morons and inhabited by the indifferent. The only people spoiling for another stupid war are Bush/Cheney and the idiot Republicans. Most Americans are just looking forward to sending their kids off to school and watching football this fall. I wish there were more people paying attention here, but there just aren't.

Jason, Montclair, Virginia, USA

What Europe has learned is that: war is not the answer. That is why it took so long to do anything about Balkans. I am ABSOLUTELY sure that the amount of dead people due to the inaction of Europe in the Balkan crises is FAR LESS than those slaughtered by the Americans in the last four years. Balkan countries are now stable democracies, while Iraq is one big pile of bloody dust.
A counter example is Israel: Their blood lust forces them to worship Mars and since the last 60 years they have tried to build a democracy. What do we have at this moment? A corrupt copy of Nazi Germany with corrupt leaders, ghettos and death camps and all !!
So much for 'the only action' being war and common sense being confused with inaction.
WAKE UP!!!! I can understand that most of you religious fanatics do not believe in Evolution, but believe me, Evolution is real and in the last eight years, the human race is on a fast tract back to the trees!

Mir, Amsterdam, Netherlands

To all who have posted here:
Now matter from what country, I see that we disagree about many things but that everyone has the same basic end wish: Peace. Good. But all the name calling and insulting going on seems cheap and distracts from the basic discussion issue at hand.

Reach higher! Try putting yourself in the shoes of those you chastise. I get tired of the endless, mindless bashing of great cultures like Islam or Jewish, and of great countries such as France, Iran, Israel, Russia, the UK, Australia, or USA. We all have our own mishaps. I'm going on the assumption that most educated people know better, or should.

Back to the very real issue here:
"Terrorists getting a hold of nuclear weapons via a nuclear capable Iran under the control of the Mullahs & fanantical 3rd century clerics". My thought: The only thing worse than the repercussions of removing this sobering threat is the repercussions of not removing it. Period. Who agrees? Who doesn't? Why? 6 Sept 2007

Roger Browning, Lake Mills, Wisconsin / USA

America are the real global terrorists.Why don't they just stick to what they good at, mouthing off without actually going to war.

Thomas Slattery, Paisley, Scotland

The United States is consumed with an insane obsession to be the dominant ruler of the entire globe, which ultimately will result in its demise. The constant whining about Iran and North Korea possessing nuclear weapons, when, in fact, the U.S. has the biggest arsenal of such destructive weapons. Per example; these blithering Idiots in the Pentagon actually permitted an air force bomber to fly over their own country with armed nuclear warheads! It seems it is just itching to unload these against Iran but incapable of taking care of its own citizens, who are lacking in adequate healthcare,education, and necessary law enforcement to avert the increasing crime epidemic in this so-called '"God's Country, Land of he Free Home of the Brave".

R.a. Gallone, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

I understand that this plan was released to the press most likely to intimidate Iran, but if it really went ahead as stated then surely Iran would, y'know, see it coming? Hopefully this is nothing more than a scare tactic; they'd have to be nuts to think they could pull this off with all of Iran waiting for it.

Why is Bush so fixated on going to war with the Middle East? Has Iraq really taught him nothing? If he goes after Iran, our guys in the Sandpits are going to be up against more jihadists than they're facing now. Iran's supposed to be aiding the terrorists; is it sensible to raise hostilities to the point where they can take such actions public and crank it up a gear? Has the President of the United States even HEARD of diplomacy?

It's no secret that Iran is developing nuclear capabilities, but I want to see proof that democracy has failed and they're building weapons to attack countries. Real proof this time, please. Lives kinda depend on it.

Sorcha, Belfast,

I think it is part of pressure on Iran to give up her peaceful nuclear programme. so why Iranians should pay the price for sake of Israelis who brought them from everywhere to middle east.
if so , it is an American great mistake in the region.
who they want to change the mentality of muslims. so I think it is an American bluff to Iran .

aliblack, cal,

Wow, the posters above are really naive, diehard wingnuts! It's a well known fact that Israel has hundreds of nuclear weapons. The US government has created the conflict with Iran.The only solution is negotiations, and they will work!

Harry, San Francisco, CA, USA

Israel "has made its own preparations for airstrikes and is said to be ready to attack if the Americans back down".

And I may ask why does Israel have a free hand to attack any nation she wants?

The biggest threat to world peace is not the USA, not Iran but the Zionist State of Israel.

Gentile, Gentile,

The only way out of Iraq is through Iran.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

The US is already on the brink of economic collapse and is several trillions of dollars in debt, and if you include social security, it's over 50+ trillion in debt. Russia and China are laughing, as the US is destroying itself. If the US can't even rebuild New Orleans after Katrina, how can they expect to try to manage Iraq or a new war with Iran? History once again repeats itself, as the US has over-extended it's military, and their currency is becoming worth less and less. It's the fall of the Roman Empire re-visited.

Jeff, Houston, USA

The most interesting thing about this story is that no other mainstream news outlets have picked it up. Wait and see how broadcast media portrays this story, if at all . Pay close attention to the language and talking points used by current administration officials in regard to Iran in the upcoming months. Compare the language soon to be used with regard to Iran to the language that was used in the march to war with Iraq in 2002 and 2003 and look for similarities. Read between the lines. As Americans it is our duty to learn from our previous mistakes, let us not be lead into war under false pretenses again.

Chris, San Diego, California

Sounds like a Republican plan as did the plan for Iraq. Were we not suppose to "get in & get out" of Iraq? Sounds more like to me that Bush wants to go out in glory so that he can leave his mark on history. If Iran is blitzed, what next, any nation other than US/UK, that has nukes?

J.F. Anotak, Tampa, U.S.A.

I would say that these mullah's will NOT ever let the Persian people to live in peace and freedom, they interfere and send weapons to Iraq, Afghanistan and are in close cooperation with Taliban, Al Qaeda, Terrorists, and Hamas. War is the worse thing that happens to a nation, but this time we will take it as a necessary surgery for better health.

We'll back up Americans. Persians will be great friends of Americans.

Afshin, Isfahan, Iran

I'd rather have Israel do this job, but hey, I'll dance with the one that brung me. It's time to take action.

Peter B, Stow, OH

I work hard, care for my family and keep out of trouble, however, Iran views my way of life as evil because I am part of this thing called 'the west'.. They wish the detruction, through violence, of my way of life. I work hard and I work for the good of my family and friends, I'm not an evil person.

Meanwhile Iran teaches its children that death and destruction can be justified aainst those that do not believe in their way of life.

I am happy for Iran to do what they want, within their own country, as long as it does not threaten my way of life or put harm onto my friends and allies. If Iran insists on moving towards the direction of destruction, that is what they should be faced with, their own destruction.

We in the west must stop pandering to the ultra liberls, wrining their hands in self loathing. I am liberal, but I want Iran stopped, and I want we in the west to stand up for our way of life, because what we have is an amazing society, despite its many failings.

Foo, edinburgh,

Is there a connection between the pull back of UK forces, and the war drum beating against Iran from Washington. Basra being so close to Iran would be the first place you would need to vacant.

Michael, Adelaide, Australia

The invasion of Afghanistan was a major success for the US. Heroin production went up 26% in 2006 with the country producing 5,644 metric tons per annum. This is good news not only for US drug addicts but for all drug addicts as Afghanistan supplies 90% of the World's heroin.

I suspect that Heroin is causing a lot of harm, where ever people fall victim to it's embrace. I would like to see the US come up with a 3 day plan to decimate Afghanistan's production and supply lines.

- If the war in Vietnam and now Iraq are the benchmarks to judge the USA, I think it's time the US get out of the war business.

Derrick, London,

Distraction techniques on both sides to bring attention away from domestic problems. Personal vendettas on both sides, at the top anyway. Great, because of stupid and selfish idiots, we all march closer to the brink and endanger more and more lives. What a foolish lot we are.

Jim, Omaha, USA

part II

This is going to escalate and may develop into a world war. If you want to save the world from alleged muslim threat then:

1) Why didn't you know about the alleged way Islam is until a few years ago?

2)Why have you turned most western European cities into ethnically Muslim colonies through your diversity and multiculture ideology under your world leadership. Jews in Berlin were pushing for even more immigration some time ago here together with the Muslim representatives.

Jan, Berlin, Germany

Iran is picking a fight that they cannot win. Sure they hate Israel and are desperately trying to develop nukes, but they hav'nt put into account that Israel has their own stockpile of more effecient and ready to go weapons from the US. This is going to get out of hand for Iran, if the US bombing is successful then they are seriously cut back from all military forces, if not then the US or Israel has nukes as a last resort. As far as I know Iran does not have any real allies which have the capability of striking back with nukes....this may get ugly.

joshua lesperance, rochester,

Just remember that the American people and their government are two different entities. The current administration has the lowest approval rating in recent decades, so don't blame the people for the actions of out of control leaders.

J, Chicago, Illinois/USA

part I

To "George, El Paso" and other US world savers:

You're off reality with all your simplifies and distotred 'good and evil' and 'Chamberlain and Churchill' rhetorics. If you believe all that, it sadly proves that your mind is a Hollywood and Jewish concentric worldview fabrication. Billions of non Jews and non Anglo-Protestants all got it wrong? In your mind ghetto you are unable to see from a neutral perspective and your intellectual capabilities don't enable you to read the view and background information that is widely available on the internet from independent sources other than FOX and CNN.

I'm a German victim of US aggression, my family was ethnically cleansed by your conferences. We won't forget and if you believe you will be loved in Germany and Europe once your empire has fallen, you will be surprised as much as your militia in Iraq. Revenge will come! Face defeat!

Jan, Berlin, Germany

All the empires are gone one day, The Persians lost the empire to Arabs who they thought were a 2nd hand humans while feeling superior. Americans travel 10,000 km and see people with different color who are not christians, they feel superior because of whats on their mind. However, an Islamist's idea is that its best to die if necessary while Americans dont know the difference between Persia and Iran, they know what size chest is Jloo though. I think If Americans attack Iran, China would invade Taiwan soon after plus the Americans will get a big surprise in the firepower of Iranians and could well direct the while 6billion or so of the world's population toward a third world war. Why ? Cus Iran may build a nuclear bomb, so what if it does, Pakistan and India and Israel have plus Americans and Europeans all have it, why shouldnt the Iranians have one. what are you forcing them that you are affraid to be taken for it later ? Infact those who are on top in Iran are very wise.

Kayvon, Tehran,

The road out of Iraq marches straight through the center of Iran.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

Good point on the WMD and why all of a sudden is Iran the enemy. Why are the moron politicians making everyone the enemy. The best thing anyone could do is stop watching mainstream media. It is nothing more than fear mongering and propaganda.

Jason Durling, Woodstock, Canada

Now we fully understand why US forces will not abandon Iraq and Afghanistan any time soon. The availability of friendly bases in these countries bordering the east and west of Iran, together with naval assets in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and long-range air assets with overflight permission would allow US (or Israeli) forces to quickly and quietly launch massive bomber and cruise missile attacks against Iranian nuclear and military facilities.

Why would Iran desire to construct PU239 or U235 enrichment facilities with supersonic centrifuges if it were not trying to obtain nuclear weapon status? They certainly don't need HEU or PU for power generation, but, of course, the elements are very useful for constructing nukes.

As keepers and trustees of a nuclear flame, Mullahs with a bomb are an untrustworthy lot. Could you imagine if Ayatollah Khomeini had had a nuke and long-range delivery system?! This is the nightmare which currently worries Israel and thus the U.S..

Dave P., Phoenix, AZ, USA

United State's policies of cold war era specially during President Carter, is directly responsible for putting the whole world in this situation when they turned to empowering islamists in order to break the arch enemy, the Soviet Union.
United States government and some other western states have a huge responsibility in creating this mess for the world and if they do not deal with it in proper manner, the whole world will pay for it very badly.

Islamic regime is a menace to the people of Iran and the world and should be removed. this removal should be done by supporting democratic opposition while weakeing the regime through different means including smart sacntions against Islamic government.

Zaal, Regina,

Ahmadinejad's hero and mentor, Khomeini, laid out the plan that he is currently attempting to implement. It includes eradicating the nation of Israel and ridding the Middle East of Jews. His conclusion is that the U.S. will abandon Israel rather than go to war on Israel's behalf.

There is substantial evidence that Iran will have enough enriched Uranium 235 before the first quarter of 2008 for a handful of nuclear weapons thanks to Pakistan with the sale of 3,000 centrifuges for Uranium enrichment.

Then you have Osama's known purchases, not made known by the liberal pascifists controlling the media and supporting Islamofascists, of the missing 100 out of the 250 Russian nuclear suitcase bombs -- purchasing power provided by heroin adicts predominantly in the U.S..

We should support our allies and protect our children's future by acting before it's too late. Diplomacy and appeasement of Islamofascists cannot and will not work. Land for peace? NOT!!!

D. Balton, Hampton,

As you Brits know full well there are several ways to deal with evil. The first one is the Neville Chamberlain approach and the second one is the Winston Churchill approach. We all know what happens when you put your head in the sand and wish evil away. It doesn't go away; it just grows stronger. You must confront it and kill it before it grows.

Ross, Lander, Wyoming, USA

The ied's being used against U.S. troops are coming from Iran. DUH! A US strike on Iran would not be preemptive. Iran already picked this fight. The doom and gloomers are out in force on this one as well. They probley think "global warming" is fact instead of more made up liberal hooey

tom mix, okla, USA

US CIA headquarters 1993 World Trade Center bombing Ali Abu Kamal shoots tourists at Empire State Building Iranian hostage crisis USS cole... And whatever. End your droolfest and tell us how each one of these items has anything to do with Iran.

Hinkus McDee, Dallas, TX, What?

with all due respect, if you have NOT personally experienced the oppression and brutality of the mullahs, you should not state that this is a "manufactured problem." The truth is, the mullahs are the most vile, corrupt, and murderous bunch that has plagued iran since the mongol hordes! As an Iranian-American, I have seen what they have done to our country and its people. They are the source of ALL that is EVIL in the middle east- they kill anyone who questions their authority, and have established HEZBOLLAH AND ISLAMIC JIHAD to export their brutal ideology. If you want peace in the middle east and the world as a whole, you MUST DESTROY the mullahs and their regime- they are not going to go in peace! Al, california

al, fresno, ca

Yirmin Snipe - ah, yes, the Kaiser and WWI. Another war where America turned up late (in 1917, when it was all done) and has hollywoodised it into a story about how it saved the planet single-handedly. Let's follow your logic: if every war is as legitimate as any other, were Al-Quaeda's attacks on the US legitimate?

derere, uk, uk

To JimBob in Encino, CA. The Iraqi military ceased to exist in three weeks. This was a direct result of planning conducted on "expensive laptops."

USMC Veteran, Orange, California

Al Qaeda, the Taliban are creations of the CIA, President Bush was in business with Osama Bin Ladens younger brother and they met many times socially. Bush's great grandfather was part of the Cartel that financed Hitler, his grandfather was investigated by congress for trading with the Nazi's (All matter of record so don't be dumb and argue) the grandfather was also involved in trying to force America into the 1933 fascist coup by the same people who paid up Hitler, the same people who supported Hitler and it is the descendents once again trying it on. So, think about it, if America had kept its nose out, there would never have been WWII because it was Americans that caused Hitler to rise to power, it was Americans and British (Oppenheimers) that secretly supplied Hitler with gold, diamonds etc whilst American and British soldiers DIED (To The Times, When one's late mother was a Dep-Ed of this newspaper, it annoys greatly to continually see censorship for political reasons...)

Ian Watson, Gillingham, Dorset

It's amazing and saddening how supine & murderous some of the American pro-preemptive attack commentators are. Three years ago no-one even mentioned Iran as a problem. Now, suddenly, with no illegal action committed by Iran, & after 3 years of constantly building propaganda, the USA together with a nation which illegally possesses nukes (Israel) are about to commit an unprovoked attack on a peaceful nation & murder thousands if not tens of thousands of innocents. How is this justifiable? Don't give me all that nonsense about Hitler and WW2 - this is 2007, not 1937, the situation is COMPLETELY different, & comparisons are ludicrous. There is only one nation (plus its puppydog) currently attacking & killing innocents in an illegal war & illegally occupying other countries. And it's about to start yet another war - & the rest of the world just stands around "appeasing" the USA. Can't someone stop these extremist fanatics before it's too late?

Junker Woland, Caen, France

To Borris, Kansas City, USA: It's obvious you are intellectually challenged. When taking this into account, one would normally just ignore you're moronic statement. But to suggest China and Russia should combine forces to attack America is far too annoying a comment to allow impunity. Here's hoping you obtain the psychological treatment you so desperately need. Please, request medication.

Rich, New Paltz, NY

Why do the Americans love to bring up history which they appear to have gotten so wrong.

You did not win WW1, Britain and France had done the vast majority of the fighting before you eventually decided to turn up at the end. You did not enter WW2 to "save" Europe. You started fighting after getting a bloody nose at pearl harbour.

2 world wars and the US turns up 3 years late to both! By which point your "allies" are boodied and bankrupted. Nice one mate!

So stop making out you've done the world a big favour by "saving" us! I assume your waiting for the world to thank you for the mess in Iraq and the soon to be bigger mess in Iran.

Rob, London,

God help us if Bush takes military action against Iran. Two hundred dollars a barrel for oil; Russia and China going berserk; Europe furious; Americans bewildered. And we thought his Iraq gambit was stupid........

Richard Barber, Denver, CO

I spent several years in Iran. Don't believe anything they say. It seems to be in their culture to tell you what they think you want to hear. I met a number of their military and some politicans and seldom heard them tell the honest truth. You can negotiate with them and think you have an agreement one day only to have them deny it and say something completely different the next day. I think it was Winston Churchill who said something to the effect of "only a fool negotiates with a lunatic". He was talking about the anti-war movement of the 1930's and Hitler but it also applies to Iran today. Liberals please take notice. You are going to get many people killed just as your forebearers did before WWII.

Karen A., Chelmsford, MA USA

Hey America...remember why we hate the war in Iraq-EXIT STRATEGY. Do we have one? No. You people love going to war, but hate paying for it. This is just so stupid. You want to do Iraq all over again.
Why is Iran evil? Because the American news says it is?

Zack, Mesa, AZ

Of course the Pentagon has a contingency plan to invade Iran. They would be negligent NOT to have a plan to deal with such a major threat. It is also a good idea to leak some version of the plan, to hopefully intimidate the enemy. The spectre of cluster bombs may cause cooler heads to prevail in Tehran.

Max, Ottawa, Canada

And we are all supposed to believe this why? One more lie? one more statement of WMD this time nuclear, REALLY? Under what proof?

Lamargo Petersen, Vancouver BC, Canada

Have any of you ever read Thomas Hobbes and John Locke?? It's apparent you havent so I'll sum it up. Anarchy creates insecurity, which leads to a competition for power which creates more insecurity (hobbes). The only way around this is to set up a hierarchy, a politcal system that can gaurantee a system of laws, impartial judges, and enforcement. The UN was set up to do just that, and if the united states continues to circumvent the UN, there is no chance of peace or stability in the middle east or anywhere else.

Reed, Asheville,

To all those Americans who can't wait for this attack to happen. What are you getting out of Iraq war? Hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis and thousands of dead American soldiers. The true winners are those huge military-industrial complexes that end up gobbling your tax dollars. In my opinion both the Iranian and US governments are corrupt. People of these two countries are peace loving and tired of what is going on right now. Give peace a chance.

Nouri, Alamo, Ca

People can only be fair and balanced if they favor the arab cause it seems.

dave, ny,

first of all lets get one thing straight..WW2 was not about saving the jews..if it was then the allies failed miserably and there can be no gloating about winning the war...WW2 was about hitler wanting to develop Germany into a colonial power and staking germanys place on the world map that was monopolised by the British and the French..n had everything been about saving the jews the powers to be would have long settled the middle east problem by giving the palestinians half the land and money they give to israel every year and building them half the infrastructure they built the japanese and the germans..
ppl keep on ranting about israels agenda and the jewish conspiracy but i personally think the jews are being taken for a ride as much as anyone else.. they still dont have peace, they live in constant fear and anti semitism is at an all time high.. i think its time Olmert and Ahmadenijad sat down and discussed a joint strike on Capitol Hill

BQ, Karachi, Pakistan

Many of these comments just reinforce my belief that many Americans are insular, bigoted fools with no understanding of the consequences of their actions. I wish you would grow-up. You ever seen an infant with burns to 80% of its body?

Busy Body, Perth, Australia

The so called "War on Terror" is either a total sham or ran by fools less competent than ann 11 year old. If in a war the first thing a child would do is defend the border. Yet the Mexican border is wide open, I know I picked up blocks of marijuana with the Minuteman Project.

Either way, the real war for the country is over here, and we're losing bad. Huge portions of the country are nolonger American and the largst refugee plight in human history is taking place as millions flee the Mexican conquest of the southwest yearly. If you continue voting for the same neo-cons you'll get the same result...we need a rEVOLution!

Mr Wood, Dallas, Mexico (formerly Texas)

The Americans need to sit down at the negotiating table just like everyone else. Its "in-crowdf" psychology is both passe and a failure. Also, shunning countriessuch as Iran predictably only breeds suspicion and paranoia, which leads to arms acquisition. All modern countries need to ensure the US doesn't stir up any more trouble, arising from its own xenophabia. Iran's leader may actually need western support to maintain stability there.

Emma, Ottawa, Can

Jerusalem is not for "millenia the eternal capital of the Jewish people." God doesn't confer cities on peoples, as he doesn't exist. Cities are won and lost by people. The Jews lost Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. They had no more right to recapture it than the English have to retake the parts of Germany, Scandinavia and the Low Countries from which the Angles and Saxon emigrated.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

You Reap What You Sow - or - the Law of Unintended Consequences.

Iran used to be a democracy, but the good old USA decided that a dictator would be more favorable to US oil interests, jump ahead a bunch of decades and we have the quagmire of today.

As far as war plans, I'm willing to bet the US military has plans to attack just about anybody you care to mention. This is called "prepared". If you think the UK military doesn't also have such plans...

To discuss such plans (leak to the media) is politic talk, political rhetoric, a shot across the bow, a clear message, the rantings of a lunatic, warnings of a political nature, smoke and mirrors - history is, with no pun intended, full of it.

And, least we forget, NO country in the world would be the country that it is today had war and conquest not been in their history in some fashion.

The four horsemen have been riding across the world since time began. And yes, war sucks.

DanO, Mount Vernon, USA

The world powers are well equipped to deal with Iran if ot does acquire nuclear weapons.

However, by practicing pre-emptive strikes, it only serves to isolate the perpetrators and to venge even more hatred on the already dumb struck president.

US should concentrate on homeland security and not interfere in other countries internal affairs. Would France tolerate if the us decides that Mr Sarkozy is not the right man for the job or if Mr Brown is too soft to lead Britain??

Peace and harmony can only be achieved by mutual respect of each others laws and customs and to practice restrain.

Mustafa Kamal, London, England

It's about time. Now or later.

Joelle, Paris, France

It is just another propagana like the one about Islamic Reveloutionary Guard. Washington is not able to attack Iran and they know it better than anybody else. Bush must accept Nuclear Irn. I bet!

Seyed Yasser Jebraily, Tehran, Iran

I can't believe there are actually people out there who look at Iran, the US, and Israel and see the problem as the US or Israel. Go live in Tehran and we'll see how long it is until the tolerant, not nutjobs there stone you in the square as soon as you do something other than goose step the Islamo-Fascist polka. If you are a woman, you will get the added bonus of getting to be fully covered in Vegas like heat and then have your genitals removed to preserve your purity before the stoning. Enjoy your multicultural fantasy while it lasts, Chamberlains!

Scott Sansom, Charleston, SC

Iran is a manufactured problem. People like Bush have to have enemies to rant at. Iran fulfils this role. They reply back because it is convenient for their leaders to have enemies too, Unfortunately the situation is not a little out of hand and people are beginning to beleive heir own propoganda. Time for sensible people to call a halt to the game.

james phillips, durham, usa

do you really believe that if this was going to happen they would let it leek to the rest of the world that would be a severe breech of sec.among many other things .. i am not a big fan of bush but i am a huge fan of the military and it is people like you that make things much worse for our service member and their families , fueling a fire that the media has made .

christy , sea, uas

The anti Israel comments are amazing to read the muslims all 1 bln plus are paranoid of a country smaller than wales, and live in fear of an ISRAELI attack just shows how easily they can be misled I feel sorry for them that they bury their intelllect to follow a few deranged mullahs. good buy iran

Yeshurun, LONDON, ENGLAND

the us and isreal have the man power and the resources to take out yet another hostile country. so why not do it? if its gonna help protect us from nuclear world war III then why not? france,germany, and everyone else is too scared. luckily two nations have the balls to do something. trust me you opposing this will be thanking the us and isreal when its over if this happens.

lester, saskatchewan, canada

Funny statement '...accusing Tehran of putting the Middle East “under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust”. Um, isn't there that perpetual human rights violator, Israel, that is an undeclared nuclear power already?
You want to checkmate Iran, solve the Middle east crisis in Palestine in a fair and balanced manner. That way, you rob the extremists of a cause.
Hypocrites calling for democracy here need to read about the west's involvement in Operation Ajax in 1953(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ajax).
What was Ike thinking??

Raol, Ames, Iowa

Rebecca, you can't be that simple. You've got to be putting on an act, yes? So if we just sit and suck our thumbs, maybe hand out the taxpayers' money to all your favorite nations, they'll stop hating us and will promise to not hurt the west anymore? You want to sanction Israel for possessing nuclear weapons? This is in the name of "fair play?" When has Israel ever pronounced the doom of its neighbors? Do you think, perhaps, that Israel's monopoly of a nuclear arsenal may be the one thing that has allowed them to survive as long as they have? For you to believe what you just said means you are one of two things: a Muslim sympathizer and Sharia proponent -- or a completely clueless, irrational, left-wing ideologue. This is a matter of self-defense, Becky, not mass-murder. Nobody wants to kill them, Beck-o, but they certainly want to KILL us. As for Israel, again: when's the last time you've heard of a plane hijacked by enraged Jews? Wake up, Becky.

James P, Sacramento, California

Take away all the arms from US and Israel, what would happen? Genocide. Take away all arms from Muslims what would happen? Peace. If you believe any different, then u a silly goose. Furthermore, we haven't failed in Iraq. Our purpose was regime change. If we were truly as bad as some here think, we'd just carpet bomb every suspected terrorist enclave (like the Russians do), civilians be damned. Our goal in Iran would be the destruction of military and nuclear assets, so there'd be no need to occupy. Of course, there will be unintended consequences but nothing as bad as Iran giving nukes to their proxy groups for use. Please don't mistake this post, I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. If you aren't in favor of this attack then your opinion doesn't matter anyway. Iran will get bombed within a year.

John, NY, NY

An Israeli Rabbi Ovadia Yosef claimed he had a dream in October 2001. He said there will be a great war that will last for the next 7 years before doom's day will come. We have just clocked 6 years. Not that I believe in God.

Itzchak, London, UK

The world is just about done with the Zionist claim that "God" gave them anything that he didn't "give" EVERY human on this earth, which is LIFE. I don't know anyone, Jew or Gentile, that believes Israel has the right to murder people to enforce a MYTH. MEN wrote the Torah, The Bible, and EVERY OTHER religious work BASED ON MYTH - NOT GOD.

William, Buffalo, NY

In their attempt to dissuade the Iranian leadership from unrestrained enrichment, the Americans are ignoring the increased risk European face, as we find ourselves living under the shadow, not of Iranian cruise missiles but Russian ICBMs. The Russians have repeatedly stated that a missile shield in Europe is not needed and upsets the strategic balance, so why persist?

Calascione, Nederlands,

This country does not use pre emptive strikes. Lets wait until somebody detonates a nuclear device in one or two of our major cities, kills a few hundred thousand Americans, probabl get some illegals too, and stops our economy, and basic way of life. We take bathing, telephones and grocery stores for granted anyway. After the smoke clears and the bodies are bulldozed into pits that used to be buildings, we can start again with survival of the fittest.

Don Kuehnle, SAint Peters,

Leo from Miami is just so wrong. G.W.'s grandad was already to jump into bed and support the Nazi's President Franklin Roosevelt's Alien Property Custodian, Leo T. Crowley, signed Vesting Order Number 248 seizing the property of Prescott Bush under the Trading with the Enemy Act. Toby Rogers has claimed that Bush's connections to Silesian businesses (with Thyssen and Flick) make him complicit with the mining operations in Poland which used slave labor out of Auschwitz, where the Auschwitz concentration camp was later constructed. The New York Herald-Tribune referred to the German industrialist, Fritz Thyssen, as "Hitler's Angel" and mentioned Bush as an employee of the investment banking firm Thyssen used in the USA. The underlying importance is Hitler's known ideology; intelligent business partners clearly knew who they were doing business with.

Keith, Newcastle, UK

Cone Norman, what planet do you live on, take off you rabbi induced blindfold, look at what is happening on the ground in the Middle East. Israel is the USA policeman in the Middle East. and murders with impunity.

Ann Arky, Glasgow, UK.

If Iran gets bombed - by anyone, frankly -- it will have few friends among those of us who are fed up with uppity little Islamic fascists and their cohorts. 6 million Jews got wiped out for absolutely nothing. Islamic fascists may precipate a genocide among the world's 1.3 billion Muslims that makes the Holocaust look like a Sunday school picnic. It will probably be a real estate grab in places like Indonesia, Pakistan and Iran, but the excuse will be -- we're fighting terror.

Ronald Marks, Toronto, Canada

China and Russia need to get together and do the right thing - stop the United States of Gluttony and Excess. By force; it's the only thing that will work. The United States is too deep in the mud pit to even scrape it's way out.

Borris, kansas city, usa

Too bad most people reject awareness of political and military issues. America is in deep kimshee due to electronic voting. In 1982/83 I was in Ramstein AB WEST Germany while our misadventure with the Pasdaran (Iran' Revolutionary Guard). My favorite, Ronald Reagan made big mistakes, and actually enabled the Iranians. Iran today is the result of our (CIA) involvment in the 1950s when "we" (USA) did away with Mohammed Mosedekh.

Roland, Austin, TX

I will be the first to greet Kevin Smith (London, UK) as he steps on U.S. soil to invade, with my weapon in hand. But, since he has massive feelings of inadequacies and low self-esteem, I doubt I would see him :( He would send everyone else instead. I thought that Kevin would have gone to school to remember that the United States has helped his country in all of their military conflicts since World War I. Instead, I guess he was too busy running from all the school bullies that were chasing him to notice......

James, Columbus, Ohio/USA

Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Pale horse was originally translated from the word "Chloros"
meaning green which IS the color of Islam.
1/3 of men will be killed in this war. I'm not glad people will die or get hurt, but I AM happy that MY Savior IS comming AND comming soon He is. When you see The Third Jewish Temple built THEN KNOW that The Bible IS TRUE!!!!!!!!! The "Global warming" is Matt:24
I am praying for the world BUT GOD IS IN CHARGE.

Mike, South Bend, Indiana

For biblical scholars it is only a matter of time. Whether
the U.S., or Israel who is to say? Iran wants to recapture
it's power and take over of the Middle East. They will
never be the Persian empire again. Saddam found
out and so will the powers to be in Iran.
JCF, Mississippi

Jerome Farner, Poplarville, Mississippi,

Is Iran selling its oil in Euros? That was the reason the US attacked Iraq. Surely you don't still believe all the deception and lies disseminated as justification. But deliberately starting another conflict with two others ongoing cannot be a sane strategy. Can you say “Draft”? So who you rooting for in the upcoming US-Iran conflict? Or should that be Christian-Islam World War?
Start thinking the unthinkable. When you stare into the Abyss long enough, the Abyss starts to stare back at you.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Hey Indiana John, what is it called when the US is repeatedly attacked by terrorists? I'm sure that you would call it "paying the price" for our greed, hatefulness, fill in the blank....

Ron, Logansport, Indiana

Of course the US military has plans to strike Iran, what it does not have in all likelihood is the intent. All military powers create a multitude of contingency plans as part of the preparation process. It is the execution of the plans that need to be considered, whether the logistics are in place to make the sorties and targeting actually feasible.

Most US military leaders must be looking at the extended military overreach in Iraq and agreeing that the logistical tail needed to support such an endeavor is simply not available, and probably not sustainable, without a prior buildup and a growth of ground forces that could include a (gasp) national military draft.

Sabre rattling seems to be the US administration's normal action to seek increases in popularity through fear. Based on some of the comments, it works with many.

Bob Hesselbein, Madison, Wisconsin

It is no linger possible for the US to win a war...and hasn't been since Korea. The anti-american left has undermined our society...hope they like the rules they will have to live with when the muslims rule the world...

fred, nowata, OK

We should follow the plan to hit them hard. Iran is the root cause of all the problems in the middle east.

They are the backbone of Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and various other violent groups. Destro there ability to make anymore war because they are determined to create more war, Just listen to the words of thier crazy president, bent on destroying Isreal.

We also must get alternate fuel methods so we stop funding the very perople who seek to kill us

Bill Miller, Neptune, Nj

The Bush administration through sheer incompetence goes out and invades Iraq, completely ignorant of the Middle East politics and history, as well as conned by the likes of Chalabi. Now they realize they have inadvertently strengthened the hand of Iran. Their solution: bomb Iran! How much lower can they go to turn the entire world against the US? How many people must they kill to exert their arrogant world view on other nations? I'm ashamed and disgusted.

AT, Honolulu, Hawaii

This is as potentially catastrophic as it would have been if we would not have defeated Nazi Germany in World War II! Even then 7 million Jews were exterminated before the United States stepped in and took the necessary steps to halt the mass murder. Iran is an oppressive and dark rouge state and needs to be tempered. Whether you like the President or not it is an issue of National Security and World peace in the Middle East. Stop Iran and you will see many of the other problems begin to go away. We need a strong and committed coalition force to do what we did in World War II with Japan and put them on notice to halt all of the negative activity or we will use unimaginable force to bring it to and end! God Bless The Great men and women serving our armed forces and God Bless the United States of America. One Country under God, Indivisible and justice for ALL! Amen!

Jay D, Boca Raton, Florida

This whole war started with Osama attacking NYC, now where does Iraq and Iran come into this?

Heck have we forgotten about Osama Bin Laden?

One thing, US shouldn't start a war with a country like Iran which you can't finish.

farsh, reston,

I have a better idea. Lets give nukes to Arab Sunnis and establish a balance of power with Shia Persians. If MAD worked for US v. USSR, why can't it work for the people of the Koran? If you believe this scenario, you have paid no attention to the current love-fest between Sunnis and Shia in Iraq. If Iran makes nukes, the Sunni bomb is inevitable, actually, and its use among the Islamic crazies pretty much certain. Everyone loves peace, but war is sometimes needed to establish it. One has to be a bit of a dragon to be a dragon slayer.

General Stan, Tucson, USA

We need to answer this question before we go to war for ISRAEL: Has anyone ever wondered why Israel has so many enemies? Never mind, here's the answer: Because ISRAEL IS THE ENEMY. Plan and simple. You heard it, now you know it. Now substitue "ISRAEL" for "JEWS" and ask the same; I'll tell you the same.

Goyim Rising, Paris, TX

It perhaps does not come as a surprise when one tells you that the speeches of Ahmadinejad are ripped out of context, and translated poorly to suit propagandic purposes. Much has been explained about his 'wipe Israel off the map' speech, of which is clear he cannot have said that (google for yourself) but it was hastily translated by the BBC and kept alive in the parrot circuit. Ahmadinejad himself later explained it was not directed to the Jewish people but to their government. It really is silly, if not pathetic to read time and again the same old distorted story, notably as an excuse to to bomb the entire country back to the middle ages, while at the same time playing selectively deaf for recent messages coming out of Iran.
Don't get me wrong, I am not at all a supporter of the Iranian government, nor am I supporting the current US presidency. But what really is important is to grasp reality in as objective terms as possible, by means of getting informed out of varieties of sources.

marco, Rotterdam, Netherlands

Let Israel attack Iran if it won't allow them to have nuclear weapons. U.S. citizens are sick of war and our government. Why can't Israel handle its own problems?

LH, Denver, Colorado

Iranian military capability should have been taken out years ago. Those who caterwall about doing pre-emptive strikes would do well to consider "How many lives would have been saved in WWII, had Hitler and his war machine had been taken out in the 1930's?

alexjm, SpringValley, california, USA

The current Iranian government leaders have already attacked the US. Foriegn embassies are considered soveign territory. Attacking the embassy in 1979 and holding its diplomats hostage is enough evidence and indicative of their philosophy. Just because good-hearted Jimmy Carter did not retaliate as we by international law had every right to, does not mean it is too late. Read SAm's entry below if you honestly do NOT believe war has been declared: "The time has come for a new world order where poverty and disease is eradicated and people live under justcie, prosperity, peace and harmony". See that's right! There is no poverty or disease in the Islamist world. People are peaceful and prosperous! No mention of liberty or freedom or what to do if the Mullah's become corrupt though. Can we have a try before you buy first? Why don't we try the Islamist Caliphate rule in places where people are the least likely to oppose it, such as SF, Berkely, Boulder, Portland/Eugene?

Phil, Portland ,

...and you suppose Russia is going to sit idly by while the USA destroys the $70 billion it spent on Iran's nuclear program?

Let Israel fight their own battles......oh, yeah, I forgot...they did...when they killed our sailors in 1967 0n board the USS Liberty.

aren't the Brits leaving Basra?

you can't win a ground war from the air.

Al Bufano, Eddystone Pa, USA

To all the Europeans out there,

Reading the comments on here left by Americans really makes me feel embarrassed. The Commments make us look like a bunch of John Wayne, Fascist, war mongers. My wife and I went to Ireland last year and Europeans treated us so horribly because of the views like which are post on here. Please do not paint all Americans as ignorant, redneck, war loving, fascists like some of those who have posted comments on this site. Many of us Americans do not feel that way, but the media very rarely shows those of us who are against the war and if they do it is rarely in a good light. The individual American is merely a piece in the War Machine, whether they want to be or not.

A Former U.S. Marine

Mike, Columbus, Ohio

"What about Israely nuclear warheads targetting Tehran the last 3 decades? "

The difference? If Tehran was capable, they would have allready launched on Isreal, as they have vowed to do. One is for defense, one is for offense.

AJ, cincinnati, ohio

It will happen if Iran does not stop.

Lisa, DeRidder, United States

Quoting "Dude, Cebu, Philippines": "It will mean the end of the U.S. and that would be a definite good thing but the price of innocent dead Iranians is far to high. The US is in steep decline and falling already anyway. Americans deserve whatever bad happens to them but Iranians have not hurt anyone."

"Dude" your country owes it's very existence to the USA. What a short memory you have.

Sean, Modesto, CA

<What about the legalities of such an attack on a souvereign state. Firstly, does such an attack not violate the American Constitution; does it not have to be approved by Congress ?
Secondly. What about the United Nations. Does military action not have to be sanctioned by the Security Council; is it not in violation with the United Nation Charter ? What about Russia and China, both members of the Security Council. They will no daoubt veto such naked aggression.
Is there anybody who can answer these questions in a serious and objective manner ?>
No, it does not violate the Constitution. If it did, then so did Germany in WWII, and Bosnia, et al.
He does not need congressional approval unless he commits troops for more than 90 days. He is the COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
The UN is skirted by all nations. They are powerless. They have never stopped a war and won't send peace-keeper troops into Afghanistan "UNTIL IT'S SAFER"!

bobnunny, Sunrise, Fl

War for PEACE? What an oxymoron that is!!! Yeah, lets go murder some more people, what the hell How come Isreal is allowed massive nuclear weapons but no one else? Isreal wants ALL muslims eliminated duh!!!!
By the way,where is BIN CIA LADEN?

Oh, and never mind SECURING our borders, why, just let em all in and WATCH with camera,s NATIONAL ID cards etc.. the enemy - which of course are those who "aide and abett the enemy" I.E. those who disagree with mass murder!!!!

REBECCA, Middleport, USA/NY

Once again the country which is causing the real problems in the near east and has undeclared WMD's is not being attacked and that is israel. That is the country that should be hit with attacks. If these are God's people there is no God.

John Adams, Washington DC, Wash DC

Nobody "occupies" Jerusalem. It was never an Arab city, it is not once mentioned in the Koran and Mohammed has never
seen Jerusalem. It is for millenia the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Even in all those centuries in the Diaspora, Jews always prayed for an to Jerusalem ans their return in the City of King David. By the way - Ahmadinejad made his intentionms vis-a-vis Israel quite clear : annihilation,holocaust.

Cone Norman, Longwood, FL,USA

Too bad Bush won't give up HIS nukes! And his job while he's at it.

Lester Ness, Kunming, China

"here we go again. Won't those idiots in Washington ever learn?" - now, now Hugh, you never learned either - appeasement doesn't work. Here's a clue: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Tehran = a true "American Trifecta" and that will bring us all closer to world peace than anything you leftists and America-haters can dream up. Go read some Trotsky and don't worry about it, ok?

Jack Reynolds, Baltimore, MD - USA

Why do western powers always warn an enemy of a pending attack. Too many big mouths and the media outlets always tell the enemy where and when a strike will occur, which gives them a defensive advantage and causes the loss of more airman, marines, sailors and solders than would've occured had it been a surprise attack. Let's get it done now...Iran needs a lesson from the USA and the rest of the world.

God Bless America.

Martin J. Stab, Hazlet, New Jersey

When are they supposed to do this? Ramadan starts in a week or two, and Muslims will be even angrier if they do it then.

Amatullah, Kuwait ,

I think its time to act sooner than later.

Wim heitinga, Haarlem, Holland

I will like for us to remember what the European countries did during the war in the former Yugoslavia: NOTHING until the American intervened. That war and massacreS were a few kilometers of the heart of Europe!!!!

Most of the European like to see themselves as Santa Klaus and let other do the tough job even if that implies doing nothing like in Darfur.

Christian Perez, Montreal, Canada

No chance of Iranian civilian casualities if the US attacks Iran. Most Iranians have moved to England or the US. Go for it!

Steve, Ellicott City, , MD

Pray for Peace. Why does the USA have to fight everyone wars? If Israel feels threatened let them do their own fighting,leave the USA out of it. The IDF can do the dirty work and if they fail, oh well. I believe the US should exercise a policy of isolationism and let the world deal with its own problems. These wars are bankrupting our economy and seemingly not accomplishing much.

Jerry, Washington DC, USA

We should have gone after Iran instead of Iraq.. We have NO business in Iraq.. Now we've burdened our forces down so much that when a real threat rears it's ugly head, we can't do anythning other than logistical strikes to slow them down.. Watch how fast Iran jumps board the coalition to balance power with russia, and with Irans newfound love affair with Venezuela, well, we have ALOT to think about.. Should have addressed the real threats in the beginning..

STEELHED, Santa Cruz, Cali

International law is a figure of the collective "international" imagination. Law is only effective if it can be implemented and enforced. As there is no "higher power" in international affairs the law cannot be enforced.

Therefore it doesn't actually matter if the attack would be in accordance with international law as there will be no consequences for the instigator.

As for congressional oversight this will only take place after the fact and could lead to impeachment.

Cheers!

John Doe, Stycks, Alabama

"Will the US never learn?"

They already have. Don't do what Israelis did last year and start of small, go in hard and go in fast. And don't commit troops on the ground.

The American's have shown they can take a country apart from the Air, Iran won't last much longer against them than the Iraqis did.

Douglas Newell, Saltcoats, UK

Oh, Bush has a lack of faith in diplomacy? Gee, that comes as a big surprise. He doesn't know how to do it, so he doesn't believe in it. Wimpy little draft-dodging chickenhawks in the administration want to blow up more innocent people, and the cowardly Dem congress will probably stand aside and let them do it.

JimBob, Encino, CA, USA

So America is a peace loving nation in creating disturbances in countries all over the face of the earth? It will come to a halt soon.

Willard, Sumner, IL

melt sand.....make glass!

jack ruby, phoenix, az

Leo, Miami, Florida,
you forgot Bush from your listing.

Helena Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland

George Orwell had pacifists pretty well figured out ... He said their "real though unadmitted motive appears to be hatred of western democracy and admiration of totalitarianism." (Notes on Nationalism). It seems to me, one had better chose sides ...either the Americans or the Jihadists. Not picking a side ... saying one side is as bad as the other... is (to Orwell) a cowardly way of siding with the enemy. Orwell also said that those who condemn violence "on principle" really only do so when that violence is used in defense of western countries.

David, Devenshire, UK

Can we not learn from history. How many lives would have been saved in World War II if we some peace appeasers would have not believed a dictator bent on power and destruction? How many times do we have to listen to dictator before we know that they will lie through their teeth. Iran with nuclear weapons would be far worse than Hitler with plans on domination of Europe. God help us to open our eyes. Yes, I want peace too. But putting our heads in the sand will not bring it to pass. Look at what Iran is doing already by attacking our troops and supplying weapons and training. "Peace through strength!" It worked to end the cold war. No one will mess with you if they know they will get beat down. Bullies only attack the weak. Wake up to reality.

BA, Orlando, FL

As the song goes from the 60s..."find the cost of freedom buried in the sand...." Well folks, both Americans and Westerners, the price of freedom is priceless. Our military is not to get your college education it is a "force", if you don't understand that one should never join the military. As a navy veteran who stills serves my fellow veterans, I find these naysayers amusing and yet scary. You have the right to say your piece, but if a radical force such as Iran goes uncheck, no one will be able to saying anything we will all be dead.

Brenda, Fort Wayne, USA/Indiana

Not only is North Field, which lies in Qatar and it's eastern extention, South Pars, which lies in Iran, the biggest natural gas field in the world, it also contains a lot of non-associated natural gas. From the EIA's excellent article Natural Gas Processing: The Crucial Link Between Natural Gas Production and Its Transportation to Market ,. I guess you can't generate any electricity unless your have Nuclear Power!!!!!!!!!!

Scott, Sandy, Utah

PLEASE have the UN place sanctions on the US. Cut off our membership, and move the headquarters to Beijing, Tehran, or Moscow!

mike oprano, New York, New york

Good, this has been coming since '78. I dig Persians, but it's time to melt a hundred thousand. Let's roll...

CB, Boston, MA

Iran has been begging for this for years. Let them have it.

Harris, Naperville, IL

Dear gung-ho Americans, Iran is NOT Iraq. It has lots of great, big stonking weapons. If the US attacks it, a lot of people will die. American people.

(P.S. Dear Times, I think your server needs a swift kick up the backside, it's hellishly slow)

starling, Lancaster,

The military would not be justified in refusing to obey the Commander-in-Chief's direct orders. Even if there is no Congressional approval. They cannot just refuse, that's not how it works. Take a class in Constitutional Law.

Sam, New York, NY

For us in France, and in Europe , who believe in Democracy, Freedom and Culture, The USA is seen as the only power that can protect and save our future.
The (naive) european governements have tried for more than a year to discuss with Iran with no result.
If the military option is the only one left, then...let it be !

baranes, Vincennes, France

When are people going to wake up to the lies the Bush Administration and the corporately owned media continue to preach? Iraq was no threat, Iran is no threat. The U.S. has tens of thousands of nuclear missiles, while Britain and Israel have hundreds, also. Even if Iran built a long range nuclear missile, what would be the point in launching if it would mean their complete and utter obliteration? People are apparently incapable of learning from the idiocy of the cold war. The oil, weapons and reconstruction industries are the reasons we are in Iraq and why the U.S. will invade Iran. All of this comes down to money and greed. Did you know that the U.S. spends more on defense than the combined rest of the world does? By the way, where is Osama? He kills 3,000 Americans yet we send the majority of our military to take over Iraq, when we're told Osama's on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. We have satellite imagery that can read license plates from space, yet we can't find Osama? Crazy!

Awake, Detroit, USA

..."Bush/Cheney should be impeached immediately,"...

For what? The leftists in the USA are delusional in their hatred of GWB and his administration. Iran needs to be taken down, and it's beyond time. The so-called "mullahs" have been at war with the USA since the feckless pacifist peanut farmer Jimmy Carter let Khomeini take over. Dolly, do you remember any of what has happened since November 4, 1979?

astounded, Chicago, IL, USA,

The ruling regime in Iran must be confronted and defeated. An Islamofascist Iran with nuclear weapons will hold the entire world hostage.

Our choice is not between Peace or War; our choice is between Tyranny or War.

Chris, Branford, ConnecticutT

It is not a proxy war between Iran and the US. It is a proxy war between Iran (Shia) and Saudi Arabia (Sunni) with the US caught in the middle. If Bush is stupid enough to attack Iran, a little or a lot, and he just may be, Russia, China, most of South America, and enough of the rest of the world probably respond by waging economic war on a very vulnerable US. Buckle up; it's going to be a bumpy ride.

t-bone, nowhere, youknow

If a strategic attack can destroy the infrastructure & delay a nuclear weapon from being smuggled into Great Britian or America for 10 years it's prudent & necessary for our own survival. This world needs to get a clue. Fanatics will stop at nothing until they exterminate us all. Hiding ones head in the sand & wishing evil away is what Nevell Chamberland attempted to do to appease Hitler in the late1930's. Those who forget the past are condemned to relive it.
Paul Prete
Beverly Hills, California

Paul Prete, Beverly Hills , USA / California

I truly despise the war mongering zionists in charge of America.
that is why I support this attack. It will complete the end of America.

Pete, Buffalo, USA

To ben bristol, You havent seen anything yet, & yes I am religious , This is end times for the World system, look up Ezekial 35&36 in any bible & obtain some understanding, There is a Creator , & he has restored Israel, Just as he promised to do in the days before the return of Christ, also remember, God promised Abraham, I will bless those who bless you,& i will curse those who curse you ,The Jewish people & Israel. The 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth is imminent , we are the generation that will not pass away until he returns, To rule from Israel.

Michael, Condo, Australia

Bombs will speak louder than words. Sadly, there is no longer a Soviet Republic for the nice, reasonable Bush haters of the west to back-up their worldview. I'm glad.

darwingodwin, Los Hueros, Spain

My compliments to TimesOnline for allowing this thread to continue. I am learning more about world opinion in this "flash-point" discussion than from many other sources. Over 700 comments and it keeps growing. NICELY DONE!

darwingodwin, Los Hueros, Spain

Hey Jim, Milwaukee, USA,

I'll pick 3. Do people think China and Russia are going to sit this one out? Either way it is going to be one big mess.

R, USA, USA

The world needs to recognize this threat for what it is. The president of a sovereign nation has said publicly, & repeatedly, that he wants to wipe an entire race of people off the face of the Earth (Jews) & that the day is coming soon so rejoice! While at the same time he's rushing to build a nuclear bomb. Coincidence?

So everyone needs to get off the Bush obsession & get clue as to who the enemy really is on this planet.

The pres of Iran has also stated publicly that once the Jews are gone & a world war ensues he believes the 12th imam (one of mohhamad's grandson's) will pop out of a well in Iran to make the whole world one big happy Islamic place living under Sharia law. He wants WWIII. THIS IS WHAT HE BELIEVES.

What if Bush got up before the nation & said, "Not to worry folks soon every muslim on the planet will be dead. We're working on a new weapon to get the job done so rejoice!"

The pres of Iran is telling us what he's going to do. We don't need anymore evidence than that!

mike o'brien, seattle, wa

George, from El Paso, Texas
Very, very, very well said. Glad, that there are people out there, somewhere, who still think!

Katherine Andron, North Bend, Wa

7,000,000,000 people all competing for resources that this planet cannot possibly supply - perhaps a World War is overdue !
Will the last one out please turn off the light.

Taxus, London, uk

It is allways so funny when americans talk about common sense. Have they ever have it?

Helena Mathys, Hameenlinna, Finland

Ben from Bristol - spot on!!
Well put and great to read the broader context, including the Native Indians.

Although not necessarily your point, the Indians should be given their land back. If it hadn't been stolen from them in the first place, we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now (environment, food, obesity, wars, banal politics, inane media etc etc).

geoff, london,

Hey Vitaly from Russia. Tell Putin to quit selling our technology to the Muslims and quit playing cold war dog fight games over England and Quam of Mother Russia may be next....

Proudly from the good ole USA. I know you hate us,but we still do the right thing and save your sorry hides!

steve , Independence, USA/ Ky

David from Melbourne......Wake up. If the war was for oil we wouldn't be paying $3.00 USD a gallon for gas. Once again, America has to show it has "the onions" to save a weak and castrated world ready to give in to the demands of the Islamic extremist.......Has WWII been that long that you forgot?
Good day mate and get a clue, the Muslims want you dead!
Proudly from the United States of America

steve , Independence, USA/ Ky

This is to Leo from Miami who is probably sitting comfortably in his/her home with a 4x4 in the driveway and a white picket fence and saying destroy their military, like choosing what to have for dinner. Have the Iranian military killed more innocent people in the past 5 years or the US military? Or are you in denial like your government? God blesses all soldiers, not just the ones from America and why exactly is it ok for the US to have nuclear arms but not for Iran? There is only word to describe your email: arrogance

Paris, Dubai, UAE

I hope the President stops Iran. I have a "No Tolerance Policy" for nuclear weapons going off in the U. S. I'm thanklful that he is our president instead of Al Gore or John Kerry. John Edwards thinks the War On Terror is just a bumper sticker slogan. More proof that they just don't get it.

Dale Broadhead, Apple Valley, USA/Mn.

I think this is a wonderful idea. Although ppl will disagree, their short-sightedness should not stop a president who sees the course of history unfolding, and is unwilling to be passive in its face.

Ray, New York, USA

The military would not be justified in refusing to obey the Commander-in-Chief's direct orders. Even if there is no Congressional approval. They cannot just refuse, that's not how it works. Take a class in Constitutional Law.

Sam, New York, NY

To Yukuul in Amsterdam. These Yanks are the ones that protect your freak country. You wouldn't have such freedoms without the U.S. So stop talking like your above everyone and maybe learn to have a little respect. europeans think you're so great. Where were you in WW2 Mr. Yukuul?

We make mistakes but at least we try to do something about it unlike your weak nation.

Amsterdam? PLEASE....

Charles, Chicago,

Great concept! Only to fulfill it, we will need to draft everyone in the US between 18 and 44. And let more of our infrastructure go to hell. And create an even greater financial crisis then we have now. If our neighbors in this chat who are for this (Britain, China, Iran) let them bear the cost in manpower and money. Here in Texas some of us know that our imperial presidency is all hat and no cattle. Don't remember the Maine - just go back there, and soon.

Sam, Houston, Texas

To Frank in Orange Park, FL: That's your solution to problems of international diplomacy, to shoot other world leaders? If that's the rule you're setting up for yourself, be prepared to accept that other nations might think that's a pretty good rule and adopt it for themselves. Would that be progress?

Rob, Chicago, IL

oooh snap IJ snap!

mishu, St. Gallen,

You have significantly underestamated what is coming!!!

Lewis A Wells, Scottsdale, Arizona

What choice do we really have? We make a move or they do.We need to be proactive on this one!

Mark, New York, USA NY

In March, 1945 my country was in war with over 40 other nations. If G.W. wants to break this record - he must hurry, but I guess he is on the best way.
Herzlichen Glückwunsch und Good Luck :-((

Michael, Karlsruhe, Germany

what about the NIE which estimates that Iran will not have The Bomb until roughly 2011-2015?

what's wrong with waiting a little while longer?

Bush sticking to the Project for a New American Century plan is a lot like Nero playing the flute while Rome was burning.

Looking around me, I see the signs of a recession.
In the news, corruption.
Everyone blind, powerless, too old to make a difference.

America is becoming stunted.
Or perhaps it is just me who is changing.

Ryan, Indianapolis, IN, USA

Although the Bush Administration hurt America's credibility with Iraq, Ahmadinejad's crazy comments are sure to make many people forget this. It's as if Ahmadinejad wants the USA to attack Iran. Not sure if Ahmadinejad has a master plan or is just crazy, cocky.

David Greiman, Payson, Arizona

"Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose - and you allow him to make war at pleasure."

Abraham Lincoln

Philosophical, Horsham, MN

Mr Whatever from India ! Cowardly air campaign ? Guess you dont fly ? Guess you have never heard of SAM's ? Guess you have no comment on your friends Hezbollah , Hamas, IJ , etc etc who dress in civillian garb , launch rockets from hospital windows, round up children in day care centers and schools then force them to remain hidden at gun point while you fire from the windows , knowing that a JDAM is on the way ! Guess you are like those friends of your . Where are your words for them ? Hmmmm thought so ! Coward!

INFIDEL4U, Miami, USA

And just think of all the money to be made!

Ed, London, U.S.A

remember ''Shock and awe'' anyone?. There are those in America and especially the supporters of aparthied Isreal who are so intoxicated by the military might of America that their solution to every and any problem is to bomb.

Americans are still dying in Iraq more than 4years after shock and awe and the complete destruction of that country.

It is inconceivable how any sensible and sane person can believe that an unprovoked bombing of Iran would accomplish anything positive for the American people.

The world could be reaping the consequences of such lawlessness and madness for decades to come.

steadfast, London, England

Hmmmm...if a foreign power were to invade and occupy our neighboring country of Canada, would the US seek to fight a proxy war with that invader...I would think so...

Jake, Tower City, Pa

Has anyone ever heard of preventive medicine? How many
Hitler/Hussein/Stalin types is going to take for
Cut and run types to realize, you can't allow men/Women
such as the president of Iran and the Ayatollahs
to carry out their plans.

I just wish we had a G.W. in 1930's, maybe USA & Europe
would have saved themselves from the horror that
was WWII including the holocaust.

Destroy their military! Just use the once feared
Sadam as an example.

God Bless our Soldiers!! God Bless the USA!

Leo, Miami, Florida

If this is our war plan, why dont you just name the date and time also?

Tre Beloc, Kansas City, Mo

BTW check http://www.deepjournal.nl/p/7/a/en/946.html for more information on the subject.

marco, Rotterdam, Netherlands

I believe that this is just another example of the United States running their own country into the ground, and taking other nations with them....that's my opinion!

Also I think it will be a tragic event for the people of Iran, who will surely be the largest victim as is taking place in Iraq...

Idhune, Groningen, The Netherlands

The United States under this administration has gone stupid in the head. That's about all that can be said. Put Corporate America in control of a government and they ran that into the ground as well. It's going to be interesting to see the rest of the world gang up on Israel and the US,,talk about nuclear wastelands...there wont be much left, BYE BYE USA

Wolfenstein, Nashua, NH